Brendon McCullum Retires: 6 Most-Explosive Knocks by Former New Zealand Captain (Watch Videos)
Kiwi legend Brendon McCullum has announced retirement from all the formats of the game. The Global T20 Canda 2019 will be the last where the veteran will be seen in action and will call hung up his boots at the end of the tournament. So, as the former kiwi captain decides to call it a day from cricket, let’s have a look at some of his best batting performances.
New Zealand cricketing legend Brendon McCullum has announced retirement from all formats of the game. The Global T20 Canda 2019 will be the last where the Kiwi cricketer will be seen in action. He will hang up his boots at the end of the Twenty20 tournament. The right-handed batsman had retired from international cricket in 2016 but continued to play for T20 franchises all over the world. The former New Zealand captain has been a nightmare for the bowlers as he looked to score from ball one and on many occasions, the batsman took the game away from the opposition in the first few overs. Sachin Tendulkar Wishes Good Luck to Dale Steyn and Brendon McCullum on Their Retirement, Check Tweets.
Brendon McCullum first came into the international limelight in 2002 when the explosive batsman made his debut against Australia in Sydney. The opener was a stalwart of New Zealand batting line-up and played a vital role in the evolution of the Blackcaps cricket team. Mccullum was also a part-time wicket-keeper and a gun fielder. So, as the former NZ captain decides to call it a day from cricket, let’s have a look at some of his best batting performances across all formats. New Zealand Cricket Wishes Brendon McCullum ‘Good Luck for Commentary, Coaching’ on Retirement From All Forms of Cricket.
158 against Royal Challengers Banglore - IPL 2008
In the inaugural match of the Indian Premier League, professional Twenty20 cricket league in India, the Kiwi batsman played a magical knock and his wrath was faced by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowlers at Banglore. Batting first, McCullum started to take on his opponents right from the first over and even experienced bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar looked completely helpless. The 37-year-old scored 158 runs and guided his side Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to 222. RCB were bundled out 82 and KKR won the match by a huge margin of 140 runs. You can watch the video HERE.
116 Against Australia, 2010
The New Zealand stalwart demolished the Australian bowling line-up in the second T20I of the series at Christchurch with a magnificent ton. The Blackcaps opener played some unbelievable shots and his scoop off Shaun Tait remains fresh in our memories. The right-handed batsman played a splendid inning of 116 runs and guided the hosts to a massive score of 214. While Australia showed a great fight and managed to tie the encounter, hosts managed to come on the top in the super over.
302 Against India, 2014
This knock by the New Zealand skipper will go down as one of the best knocks in the longest format of the game. India were on top in the second Test of the series at Wellington after they bundled out the Kiwis for 192 in the first innings. They had scored 438 to take a mammoth lead. Just when the result of the match seemed to be a mere formality, McCullum turned the tables around and scored a scintillating triple century to help New Zealand draw the encounter.
145 against Australia, 2016
In the last international match of his career, the Blackcaps showed no mercy to the Australian bowlers and scored the fastest Test hundred of all time. In the second Test of the series at Christchurch, New Zealand were struggling after the top order collapsed but it didn’t affect McCullum’s attacking approach and the veteran notched up a ton off just 54 deliveries. However, The batsman didn’t get much support from other batsman and New Zealand lost the match by 7 wickets. You can watch the video HERE.
77 against England, 2015
The Kiwi skipper was at his best in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The opener played some explosive yet memorable innings but his highlight performance of the tournament was against the Englishmen in Wellington. The pitch was looking like a graveyard for batsmen as New Zealand pacer Tim Southee took 7 wickets in the first innings to bundle out England for 123 runs. But McCullum showed true class as he played against the odds for his jaw-dropping innings of 77 that came in just 25 deliveries. He guided Blackcaps to a comfortable 8-wicket victory. You can watch the video HERE.
110 Against Glamorgan, 2016
Playing under James Franklin's captaincy for Middlesex, McCullum hit 110 off 85 to guide Middlesex to win over Glamorgan in Royal London One-Day Cup at Cardiff. He hit 11 fours and five sixes while sharing an opening stand of 176 with Dawid Malan.
So, these were some of the best performances of Brendon Mccullum’s professional career. Along with his on-field heroics, the veteran was also a great ambassador of the game. The former Kiwi skipper has gained love and respect from all over the world. McCullum’s contribution to New Zealand Cricket is massive and the whole cricketing world will miss the exploits of the kiwi legend on the cricket field. Fans will truly hope Brendon McCullum to try his hands in commentary or make more contributions to the cricketing world as a coach. Fans wish the legend good luck for his future endeavours.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2019 02:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).